Fabric display and merchandising system

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for holding and displaying samples of fabrics so they can be conveniently examined by prospective customers. Identifying means for each sample are provided so that the customer may order, e.g., by number from rack storage in another part of the mercantile establishment. Pivoted connecting elements mounted for universal rotation are employed to support the fabric holding means in such a way that numbers of large and different fabric samples are displayed clearly, but stored compactly, being supported on elongated, circular or cabinet type racks.

United States'Patent [1 1 Romney FABRIC DISPLAY AND MERCHANDISING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Russell 11. Romney, 3259 Bon View Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 [22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 [211 App]; No.: 189,166

Related 0.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 15,785, March 2,

1970, Pat. No. 3,633,250.

[52] US. Cl 2ll/46, 211/47, 211/48, 211/89, 211/163 [51] Int. Cl. A471 7/16 [58] Field of Search 211/45, 46, 47, 48, 211/123,124, 163,182, 89

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,318,460 5/1967 Becker 211/123 3,243,051 3/1966 Ruhnke 211/182 936,771 10/1909 Gandil 248/78 R 2,546,929 3/1951 7 Nampa 211/182 1 Sept. 18, 1973 2,595,837 5/1952 Freeman 211/45 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 708,565 6/1941 Germany 211/46 1,180,459 12/1958 France 16/159 1,113,067 5/1968 Great Britain 211/45 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko Attorney-Edwin M. Thomas [57] ABSTRACT A system is disclosed for holding and displaying sam ples of fabrics so they can be conveniently examined by prospective customers. Identifying means for each sample are provided so that the customer may order, e.g., by numberfrom rack storage in another part of the mercantile establishment. Pivoted connecting elements mounted for universal rotation are employed to support the fabric holding means in such a way that numbers of large and difterent fabric samples are displayed clearly, but stored compactly, being supported on 'elon gated, circular or cabinet type racks.

9 Claims, 29 Drawing Figures PArsmwssmma SHEEIIUFS FIGQI FIG. 2B

PATENTEU SE? I 85175 SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTOR. RUSSELL H. ROMNEY PATENTEDSEI"! m I SHEET 3 OF 5 FIG. I0

FIG.

INVENTOR. RUSSELL H. ROMNEY FIG. l6

PATENTED SEN 81913 SHEET 6 OF 5 INVENTOR. RUSSELL H1.

ROMNEY FIG. 20

PAIENTEUSEPWW 3.759.398

SHEET 5 OF 5 2 l4 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL H. ROMNEY FABRIC DISPLAY AND MERCHANDKSHNG SYSTEM The present application is a Continuation-in-Fart of Application Ser. No. 15,785, filed Mar. 2, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,250.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART The merchandising of fabrics has long been handicapped by the almost universal custom of delivering.

and stacking or storing large bolts of cloth in piles on shelves or in other situations where the customer either cannot examine them closely, or must struggle with large masses of material to do so. While efforts have .been made to display smaller samples or swatches of fabric, or short lengths which are hung in open areas for convenient examination, satisfactory means for holding substantial numbers of pieces of these fabrics in an attractive manner, where they will not be mussed up or covered by other samples, have been lacking.

A typical fabric store will have many hundreds and often several thousands of bolts of fabric of different patterns, materials and grades. Unless these can be displayed to advantage so that the customer can examine, feel and study the material, noticing how it hangs and drapes, etc., salesare often lost. Display by small patches or samples is not very satisfactory. Fabric merchants have found that samples of about a yard of material are needed for adequate examination by customers. Individual bolts of cloth are often heavy and massive and difficult for the average customer to handle. These bolts can be and often are displayed in racks,

etc., but such displays are either unsightly or highly inconvenient. Furthermore, the display of large numbers of bolts occupies considerable space and for this reason alone is undesirable in most fabric stores.

It is obviously desirable to be able to hang a large number of fabric samples in such a way as to present an attractive general display while at the same time hanging each individual sample so that it can be spread out and inspected in detail. The present invention, therefore, is designed so that each individual sample of fabric is pivotally suspended, for swinging out and away from other samples, but arranged so as to swing back into line when released.

The sale of fabrics by small samples is not satisfactory even for plain fabrics, and less so for printed materials. Many fabrics are printed in large patterns so that it requires examination of approximately a yard of the fabric before the customer can make an intelligent selec-' tion. Samples of this size have been found to be good sales motivators. They often are less costly to the merchant than smaller samples because they can be sold, eventually, as remnants. However, for eventual sales, the samples must be kept and displayed withlittle or no damage. To make such display possible is one object of this invention. There is, in fact, urgent need for a system by which sizable samples of fabric may be displayed attractively, but held firmly in such a way that it will not be found later on the floor crumpled, or pushed under other merchandise and spoiled for future display or sale.

The present invention is based largely on a concept of using small, convenient universal fastening and holding means for securing swatches of cloth, and analogous fabrics, in quantities of a yard or more. These are secured detachably to attractive display racks, preferably to multi-level racks, where large number of such samples can be displayed attractively, for easy and adequate inspection by customers, without excessive space requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded view showing a number of fabric display and holding elements adapted to be put together for supporting sizeable samples or swatches of cloth on a suitable rack.

FIG. 2 is detailed view, partly in section, of one of the bifurcate and hinged fastening elements which constitutes a feature of the invention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are, respectively, a face view and a sectional view of an auxiliary base plate for use with element 75.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display rack showing one manner of displaying large smaples of fabric without allowing such to come loose from its fastening.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 3A--3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a. fastening element for a display card or sign.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed and partly sectional view of parts of the securing means for thedisplay device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a modified hollow display sign element and FIG. 7 a further solid modification.

FIG. 8 shows spherical type of display sign.

' FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a device for holding a fabric sample and identifying it, which is adapted 'to be secured in 'a rack for display, as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a face FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the device of FIGS. 9 and It).

FIG. 12 is a top view of a fastening element and FIG. 13 is a vertical section of the same element taken substantially onthe line 13-,- 13 of .FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l4-l4. of FIG. SI.v

FIG. 15 is a faceview ofa separable clamping plate or jaw element of FIGS. 9 and 14. i v 7 FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 16-l,6 of FIG. .15.

FIG. l7'is a perspective view of a bilevel carrousel view of a fabric holding element of or rotary display rack showing someof the fabric sample fastening elements mounted thereon.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged horizontal or top view of the hub arrangement in the center of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 isa vertical fragmentary sectional view of the wheel and support-arrangement of FIGS. 17 and 18, showing details of mounting and structure;

FIG. 20, is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged detail of means for fastening a sign to the top of the display rack of FIGS. .17 to FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a multi-level wall rack on which various samples of fabric may be hung by means of attachment devices, constituting another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows an enlarged sectional detail of wall bracket elements taken substantially on the line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows another view of wall bracket elements taken at the lower level substantially along the line 24-24 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a detail view of a modified wall bracket arrangement.

FIG. 26 is a view, partly in section, of the bracket means of FIG. 24.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. This connector per se forms a subject matter of copending application for US. Patent Ser. No. 15,785, filed Mar. 2, 1970 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,250. This bifurcate element per se, preferably is molded or cast from a tough resilient plastic, such as nylon, Delrin, or other material having good resiliency and strength characteristics. It has an upper loop portion 17 with a relatively thin wall toward the top as indicated at 19. The lower part of the loop continues as separate legs 20 and 21, an arcuate cut-out 22 being formed on each leg for several purposes which will be discussed in detail below. Among other things, these cut-out or relieved parts 22 facilitate placement of the device over a rod by merely spreading the legs 20 and 21 a reasonable distance apart. The legs themselves are formed so that when closed together, they present a circular cylindrical inner surface 25 adapted to surround and hold a cylindrical tube or rod-like member, such as 31 at the right of FIG. 1. Edges of the two legs, furthermore, are cut out or notched as indicated at 28 and 29 to form matching detent notches or grooves through which retaining pins, lugs 33, or other protruding elements of a shaft or shaft-like object such as 31 are received and locked in place when the two legs are closed together.

At the upperright in FIG. -1 the rod member 31 is shown provided with vertically elongated projections 33 which are adapted to fit into the upper notches 28 of member 1 1. A downward continuation 32 of this rod 31 connects to the top plate or web 35 of a fabricholding element'36 of more or less T-shaped crosssection. See also FIG. 14. A hollow slidable cylindrical locking device 40 is larger internally than rod 32, but has a lower closure which fits rod 32 except for being the bore 25 because the rib or G ring 47 fits in a groove 50 in red 45 as well as in groove 48 inside member 11. This rod 45 is adapted to support a display or sign element 51 which may be used for various purposes as will be described later. The cooperation of ring or rib 47 with groove element 48 in bifurcate member 11 is shown in dotted lines at the upper left.

Under some circumstances it may be desirable to place a frictional retarding force on rotation of the device 11 about a horizontal rod or axle passing through the loop 17. For example, it may be desirable to mount a card, a sample of the fabric, or some other display in.

such a manner that it is held against rotation not positively but with enough friction to stand in a predetermined position. For this purpose, a groove 52 and end notches 53 and 54 are provided inside the upper part of the loop element 17 of member 11. A frictionor brake shoe element 55, formed of suitable frictional material, such as soft plastic, with upturned ends 56 and 57, is sized and shaped to fit into groove 52 and notches 53 and 54. The body or web 58 of member 55 fits in the channel 52 inside the loop portion 17 of member 11 but extends slightly into the circular cylindrical area 59 of loop 17. When a braking force is needed one of these braking shoes is simply installed in the loop 17, before placing member 11 on a rod, tube or shaft which fits the circular area 59. If no braking force is desired, the brake shoe element is simply omitted. The'cylindrical surface 59 inside loop 17 is locking member 65. The stem 66 of the T-shaped eleprovided with a slot 41. It is adapted to pass over the rod 31 and also over its projections 33.'It has an inter nal cylindrical bore 37 adapted to fit snugly around the legs 20 and 21 of bifurcate device 11 when these are closed together to hold them snugly around rod 31, 32 and lugs 33. Thus, the rod 31 may be held against sliding or relative rotation between the two legs 20 and 21 of the bifurcateconnector. It is lockedin this holding positionby lifting the member 40 up'a'round the legs so that they cannot spread apart and release the protrusions or lugs 33. The locking member 40 is provided with an annular flange 43 at its upper end which is adapted to matchand seat against a flange element 42 of similar diameter on member 11.

In the upper left part of FIG. 1 an adaptation is shown wherein a rod 45, corresponding more or less to rod 31 and projecting upwardly, is provided with a retaining ring or annular rib 47 and adapted to be held by a bifur- 'c ate device 11. The annular rib 47 is adapted to be received in an enlarged annular groove 48 of device 11.

. When the legs 20 and 21, of the latter are closed together, the rod 45 cannot bewithdrawn axiallythrough ment may fit into the opening 25 of a member 1l.-With this arrangement, the bifurcate member 11 is firmly locked against relative motion to shaft element 62.

A tubular support column, shown as a vertical hollow tubular element 67, is shown at the lower left of FIG. 1. It is sized with an internal cylindrical bore 68 adapted to fitsnug'ly around the legs 20 and 21 of the bifurcate" device 11 when these legs are closed together. To hold these legs, wh en desired, a pin 69, preferably a hollow resilient or springpin, may be inserted through openings 70 in the walls of member 67 and through the small semi-cylindrical notches 29in the lower parts of the legs 20 and 21.

The bifurcate legs 20 and 21 are shown as further provided with an annular external groove 73 which may receive a complementary locking O-ring, collar or annular rib, formed or positioned inside an external leg-embracing bracket or foot member under certain conditions. Such an internal rib is shown at 74 in a base or bracket member 75, seen at the lower right hand part of FIG. 1. This member has a flat base 76, adapted to be secured by screws or equivalent fasteners to a suitable flat surface. It is split at 77 so that it can be opened up sufficiently toallow the internal rib 74 to engage or disengage the groove 73 on a pair of closed legs 20, 21. The bracket is made of resilient material and is formed so as to spring back together, to some extent at least, to close or partially close the split or gap 77. It is so designed that when fastened to a suitable base, not

shown in this figure, by means of screws or equivalent through holes 78, the internal bore will closely fit and firmly hold the bifurcate legs and 21 closed together. The annular inner rib 74 then firmly engages the external annular groove 73 on the legs so they can rotate but not move axially. Thus, the bifurcate connectors and resilient braclget parts are locked together against sliding movement by closing orpartly closing the gap 77. Member 75 is held closed by inserting screws through openings 78 into a mounting base of y uitable pe I FIGS. 2A and 2 B show a small base plate 5 which is designed to receive the flat base of member 75 within a surrounding rim 4,, It is sized so that the base 76 fits snugly within rim 4 when gap 77 is substantially closed, i.e., when rib 74 is well engaged in groove 73 ofa bifurcate connector. Screw holes 6 are provided for attaching both the plate and member, 5 and 75 respectively, to a flat surface of any type, such as a table or counter top. A hole 7 in the center of plate 5 may be sized to receive either the legs 20, 21 of a bifurcate connector 11 or a smaller rod, of the diameter of members 45 or 31 in FIG. 1 The latter, as explained above, fit nicely within the legs 2 0, 21, whenthe latter are closed together. Holes 6 in member 5, FIG. 2A, of course, are formed to line up with holes 78 in member 75 and opening 7 is centered on the axis of bifurcate member held in device 75.

FIG. 2 shows a side view onsmaller scale, partly in section, of the bifurcate hinged connector device 11 with its legs 20 and 2 1 closed together and engaging a headed inner rod-like member 79. The latter is shown with an enlarged head 80, which preferably is shaped o fit t e enla e arcs-at c t 221 ab e h juncture of the legs 20 and 21 with the loop 17 of connector l1. Thus, the connector has the following elements, which can restrain :1 held member from axial or longitudinal displacement, namely, grooves 48 and 73, e u t" 22 and t no es nd 2 T s grooves 8 and 713 p mit la i e ota ion; r a 22 may or may not, depending. on shape of ahead such as 80, and the notches 2 8 and Q9 definitely do not. Thus, a held bracket or foot member such as 75 may be rotated about its axis while held against bodily displacement; a sign 51 held by a stern such as 45, 47, likewise, but not a device locked in notches 28 or 29, such as sample holder 36 which cannot rotate and is also held against axial movement. This illustrates the versatility of the connectors 11 for the present purposes and for others not expressly mentioned.

FIG. 3 shows a'displ'ay rack for holding a rather large number of samples 900. It has afloor base 81, oval finish,- and horizontal support rods84 and 85 on each side of both lower and upper partitions 86 and 87. Sam ple holders, described in greater detail below, or such as shown at 36 FIG. I, are hung on these rods through connectors 11 the loop parts 17 fitting the rods smoothly while permitting rotation about the rods.

Upper partition 87 is set back with respect to the lower partition members 86 to give a cascade effect; the rods 84 and 85 are spaced from the partitions by means of connectors 11 and brackets or foot members 75 being set out just far enough that the holders 36 (FIG. 1) with rear and surfaces abutting will rest against the partitions when in the down position, to give nice alignment to all the samples. An upper rod 90 is secured to the straining device such as 55, FIG. 1, rotation of the sign shaped ends 82 and 83 of attractive design, color and about its support shaft 90 is prevented whereas the fabric sample s ipports preferably are freely rotatable on shafts 84'and 8 5. l

FIG. 3A shows a section through the upper partition member 87 to the faces of which are attached foot members or brackets 75, identical with that shown in FIG. 1. They may have a plate 5, FIGS. 2A and 213, between them and the partition. Such an arrangement is not shown and is not always necessary but it insures proper closing of gap 77; see FIG. 1. Bifurcate members 11 are secure d to brackets and rods 85 pass through their heads or loop elements 17. On top of partition 87 a similar arrangement supports the top rod 90 which is adapted, as shown in FIG. 3, to support the sign 92.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show on larger scale and in more detail the manner of mounting the 'sign92 of FIG. 3. Stem 91 is provided with an annular groove 98 which receives a ring 97. The latter may be a one-piece elasticring or O-ring that can be stretched over the rod 91, FIG. 5, or it may be a two-part split ring of non-elastic material retained in place by an external member 94 which is identical to member 40 already described. The latter has a plane annular flange 95 adapted to abut against flange 42 of a connector 11. It is formed with a cylindrical inner bore 96 sized to fit around the legs 20, 21, of a connector 11 in the same manner as elements 40, 67 and .75 already described. The connector 11 is not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The ring 97 permits relative rotation but not longitudinal or axialdisplacement be tween the associated parts.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative type of sign 100 supported in the same way on a stem 91, the sign elements being on vfour different sides of an upper hollow shell 'or display memberl0l. FIG. 7 is somewhat similar,

showing a solid display member 102 similarly supported. FIG. 8 shows still another modification for the sign, the upper part103 being spherical in shape. The globe part 103 is supported on a stem portion 91 on which is captivated a locking member 94. The stem 91 is held-in the same manner as in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the collar of ring 97 engaged in the internal groove 48 of connector 11. The same is true of the. modifications of FIGS. 6 and 7. l

FIGS. 9. and 10 show on larger scale a single sample I holder device for sample fabrics or swatches. It is of the same type shown in FIG. 3. This consists of a molded block or bracket member 105 supported by an upwardly directed stem 106 having laterally projecting lugs 107 and adapted to be supported in the same manner as element 35, already described in generalterms in connection with FIG. 1. Stem 106 is sized to fit snugly between the legs 20, 2 1, of a bifurcate connector 11, as in FIG. 1, when the legs are closed together. See also FIG. 2. The lugs 107 are adapted to engage in notches such as 28 to hold the stem 106 against both rotary and axial displacement. A captivated slidable collar 109, identical with collar 40, FIG. 1, and member 94, FIG. 4, hold the legs together. The bracket or backing member carries a price tag or label 108; an additional tag 108 is shownon the front. Such tags also bear identifying data such as a sample code number, etc. As shown better in FIG. 10, the member 105 has reinforcing and fabric engaging ribs 111 and is provided with an ear 112 perforated for attachment of a tag 113. The tag may bear fabric or sample identification, or show fiber content, name of manufacturer, or other data, such as availability, etc., for the customers information.

FIG. shows a stripped view of the device of FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 a bottom view. The device 36 has a flat top flange or plate member 114 and a downwardly extending web or fabric holder part 115. Adjacent to the front end wall the web 115 is perforated at 116 and it is notched at 117 in its other end so that a binding tape can be passed through the slot and around web member 115. When a swatch of fabric is pressed against rib 111 and wound with tape which is passed through slot 116 and notch 117, the fabric is securely held in place. The fabric and tape are not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but tape 122 and fabric 110 and the general arrangement are clearly shown in FIG. 9. See also FIG. 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a retaining thimble-like device 109 for holding the stem 106 of the hanger element 36 (see also FIGS. 10 and 11) by clamping together the legs of a fastener 11. See FIG. 1. The stem 106 passes through a hole 126 in the thimble 109, provided with notches 127 for the ears or lugs 107. Device 109 has an annular flat base 129 for convenient holding by fingers of a person examining the sample. Internally, the piece 109 is sized to hold together the legs of the bifurcate holder 11 in the same manner as analogous holders described above.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of a sample holder in which separate corrugated or ribbed cleat elements 138 are provided to hold the fabric against the main web 115. This device, designated generally at 130, has a support stem or shaft 131 identical with stem 106 described above and having lugs 132 for holding in the same manner in a bifurcate connector. The holder may vary somewhat in detail, but as shown in FIG. 14, it is molded'from strong suitable plastic material, preferably, although it may be of cast metal or of other suitable material or construction. An upper flange 133 forms the top which is also the head of a ribbed but generally .T'shaped cross-section web 134. On each side the corrugations or ribs 136 and 135 provide reinforcement as well as assisting in gripping the fabric. Some of these corrugations 136 may be smaller than others and shaped to better support the fabric, as shown above and below the larger ribs 135 on each side of web 134. The bottom of the web terminates in a smooth but relatively narrow flange or transverse member 137. See also FIG. 11. Separable cooperating clamping elements 138, one of which is shown separately in FIG. 16, are formed with complementary corrugations or ribs 139, 140 and 141 on one side, to face the center web and with reinforcing ribs or beads 142 and 143 on the outside. See FIGS. and 16 for details of these ribs and beads. The fabric is folded or pleated in suitable fashion so as to slide into a holding device associated with or forming part of a pleating device. The latter is no part of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a rotatable exhibitor rack having a vertical axle supporting two wheel type display structures. The vertically spaced wheels are mounted for free rotation on vertical axle which is provided with a suitable stand or base 151. Each of the wheels 152 and 153 has a central hub 155, spokes 156 and a rim 157 in the form of a nicely finished bar or tubular ring attached to the outer ends of the spokes. Ring or rim member 157 is of suitable transverse diameter to receive freely the loop portion 17 of a bifurcate connector 1 1; see FIG. 1 and compare rods 85, FIG. 3.

Samples 160 of fabric are supported on devices such as those described above in connection with FIG. 3 and FIGS. 9 to 16, so that they can be swung outwardly about supporting rings 157 for better inspection by the customer. A ring 162 made of metal tubing of somewhat smaller diameter than the rim or ring member 157 is suspended below and inside the latter by supports 163 including bifurcate connectors depending from the spokes 156. This lower ring serves as a bumper to stop the inner end of the sample holders 36 and limit the inward swinging of the samples. This holds them in nice uniform hanging arrangement, except when one sample at a time is pulled outward as by swinging itabout its pivoted loop 17 which is suspended on ring 157. The sample holders 36 can be detached from connectors 11 if the customer wants to make a more detailed inspection.

As shown best in FIGS. 18and 19, the hubs 155 are made up of upper and lower ring or plate members 165 and 166 secured together by bolts 168 and mounted on a ball bearing race 170, FIG. 19, for free rotation. The support links 163 are supported on spokes 156 by connectors 11 at their upper ends and they in turn support the bumper ring 162 by other connectors at their lower ends, FIG. 19. A split collar 175, FIGS. 19 and 20, is arranged to clamp to the upright post support 150, a bolt 176 being provided to spring the open ends together for clamping. With this arrangement, the hubs can be clamped to post 150 at any desired level. Two wheels are shown in FIG. 17 and this is the preferred arrangement; it will be obvious that three or more wheels may be used to support more samples at three or more levels. A sign 179 is fixed to the top of post support 150, as shownin FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 shows a split or two-piece block element 180 and 181 for supporting the sign 179 atop post 150. These identical parts are formed to fit snugly around a stem 184 of the sign 179 and to hold a ring or collar 185 to prevent axial displacement of the stem .184

stand neatly on either side of the web or T-stem 134,

while permitting its free rotation about its vertical axis. By fitting the split half members 180 and 181 inside the hollow post 150, they cannot separate and the sign is securely held. It may be quickly replaced by lifting the parts upwardly out of the post 150, separating them, and removing the stem 184, as will be obvious.

FIG. 22 shows a wall type display system which consists of upper and lower parts of rods 190, 191 and 192, 193, respectively. The upper rods and 191 are mounted to a wall 200 or other vertical support through molded brackets or blocks 201 secured by screws 202. The lower pair 192 and 193 are secured by screws 203 through a spacer block 204 as seen respectively in FIGS 23 and 24. Spacer block 204 in the lower figure sets the samples out a little farther away from the wall than the upper set, as is seen in FIG. 22. A split bracket member 206,. identical with the split bracket 75 of FIG. 1, is attached by screws 207 and 208 to the front face of bracket 201 and holds a bifurcate connector 11 with its legs closed together in exactly the same manner as member 75 holds the member 11 with its legs 20 and 21 closed together. In this way the connector is held firmly by ribs 74 inside bracket 206, identical with those shown in bracket 75, which engage grooves such as 73 in the bifurcate connectors 11. The sample supporting-rod 190 is supported in the upper unit, as seen clearly in FIG. 23, and rod 192 is supported in a lower unit, as shown in FIG. 24. Sample holders 105 are identical with those shown in FIGS. 9 to 13. The components of the sample holder shown in FIG. 23 bear the same reference characters as those in FIG. 9. The lower rod of each pair serves as a limit stop or bumper for the sample holder; thus, the ear 112 of holder 105 is seen resting against rod 191 in FIG. 23 and the parts not shown will be arranged similarly in FIG. 24. The only important difference between the parts of FIG. 23 and those of FIG. 24 are the outward spacing from the wall of the lower set by reason of spacer block 204.

FIG. 25 shows how a bracket 206, FIG. 22 and 23, may be mounted in a support plate see details of this plate in FIGS. 2A and 2B, already described. As noted above, the flanged plate helps to insure that member 206, identical with foot member or bracket 75 of FIGS. 1 and 3A, will not open up enough to release its hold on connector 11 which supports the sample bearing rods 190 or 192, FIG. 22.

Further details on the bracket or block 206 are seen in FIG. 26. Member 201 is a backing block preferably molded of strong tough plastic material with front and rear walls 211, 212, top wall 213, curved bottom wall or loop 214 and web 215, see FIG. 24, which holds all these parts together. Removable brass nuts 217 and 218 are placed in cavities 219 to receive the screws 207 and 208 (FIG. 23) which hold members 206 inplace. An opening 216 in the lower part of the web 215 receives the rod 193 (or 191 in the case of the upper structure). With this arrangement, the rods 190 and 191 support and align, respectively, an array of samples near the wall at the higher level while the lower rods 192 and 193 support and align another array at the lower .level and spaced a little farther from the wall, making an effective and attractive display.

In the wall rack arrangement of FIGS. 22 to 26, as well as in the floor racks of FIGS. 3 and 17, the fabric samples or swatches are arranged to hang uniformly and neatly by gravity. The connector 11 which supports each sample turns freely on its supporting rod 84, 85, 157, or 190, etc. When released, the fabric holder swings by gravity to a rest or stop position, either against a wall element, such as partition 86 or 87, FIG. 3, or'against stop rods 162, 163, FIG. 17, or rods 191, I93, FIGS. 22 and 23. In each case, the samples are nicely aligned, presenting a neat array of samples when hanging naturally.

The samples can be swung out of line for detailed examination by the customer, each being large enough for an effective showing. While the one end is pleated, the sample can be spread out almost fully for visual and manual inspection; yet it folds together and it swings back into line when released.

The individual samples also can be detached from the supporting rod, in any of the embodiments, so that the prospective customer can make an even more detailed inspection, perhaps in a better light or by laying the sample out on a table. Referring to the upper right hand part of FIG. I, the sleeve member 40 may be pulled down to free the bifurcate legs and 21 which then are free to spring apart, as shown in the central part of FIG. 1. This frees the detent lugs 33from notches 28 in the legs, allowing the sample holder 35 with its upstanding stem 31, to be removed. from its support. By reversing the procedure, the sample holder is replaced in its secure hanging position. In many cases, it will not be necessary or desirable to remove the sample from its hanging position, but when removal is desirable, it is easily and quickly accomplished. The sleeve 40 normally remains captive on stem 31, but can be removed by forcing the cars 33 through the slots 41; see FIG. 1.

Sign elements, not shown in FIG. 22, may be arranged in the same manner as in FIGS. 3 and 17, to designate areas or groups of samples, as will be self evident to those skilled in the art. Such signs may be attached to the rods and 192 and maybe held in upright position thereon by employing one of the little brake shoe or friction elements 55, FIG. 1, inside the loop of the supporting bifurcate connector, in the same manner as already described in connection with parts 50, 51, of FIG. 1, etc. This will hold the sign upright or in any other orientation that might be desired. Thus, the bifurcate connectors ll are highly versatile to serve numerous functions in the various forms of display apparatus so far described, and in many others which will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

The invention includes method aspects, entirely aside from the particular forms of display apparatus but inherent in the use of such apparatus. Samples of fabric large enough for easy and adequate inspection are pleated across one margin, usually an end, and are hung neatly in the pivotably mounted holder. The latter is detachably held, e.g. through the convenient bifurcate connectors and locking means described, so that the sample can either be inspected without detaching it from the supporting rod, or it cangreadily be detached by the customer and taken aside for more detailed inspection. A series, usually a large umber, of samples with their individual holders are mounted neatly and in perfect alignment along the rod, or around the ring in the case of a carrousel type arrangement. Alignment is,

maintained by bumper or stop means against which the holder rests when the sample is in normal hanging position. Each sample and itsholder can be swung widely away from the position of the other samples.

Each sample is identified by numberor other identifying data; in a large store punched cards, magnetic print, etc., with suitable decoding means may be used.

A separate stock, usually in the form of bolts of fabric,

cover them, as far as the state of the prior art properly permits.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for display of fabric samples and the like which comprises, in combination:

a. a supporting base comprising an upwardly extending frame element which supports a plurality of laterally extending cantilever members,

b. an elongated horizontal rod member secured to and supported by said cantilever members,

c. a plurality of flexible and resilient bifurcate connecting elements each having a loop portion surrounding said rod and having a pair of internally hollow legs adapted to receive between them and to hold when closed together a rod-like stem member against longitudinal displacement,

d. a retainer sleeve element adapted to be moved into or out of locking position with respect to said legs so as selectively to hold said legs together or permit them to spring apart, and

. a sample holding means for attachment to each said bifurcate element, each said sample holding means including a pair of mutually facing gripping members for securely holding the fabric sample in pleated condition, one of said pair having an upwardly extending support stem or rod, said stem or rod being formed to fit between and be securely held against axial displacement with respect to said bifurcate legs when said legs are held together as aforesaid.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frame element is a vertical wall and the cantilever members are brackets secured to said wall.

3. Apparatus according to claim' 1 in which each sample holding means comprises a stop element and wherein an accurately aligned stop surface is provided for abutment of said stop element, whereby the samples normally hang by gravity with the stops elements in abutment and in good, neat alignment.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes an additional bifurcate connecting element frictionally gripping the horizontal rod and a display element mounted on said bifurcate element.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a sign element having a vertical stem projecting from the display apparatus and held in upright position by means of a resilient hinged bifurcate connector engaging both said stem and said horizontal rod, and means for detachably fastening the legs of said bifurcate connector securely to said stem.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes a horizontal support rod embraced by a loop of said hinged connector and friction means interposed between said rod and said loop to maintain the sign element in upright position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the horizontal rod is a ring member supported by the cantilever members as the circumference of a horizontal rotatable wheel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 which involves as a stop member a parallel rod member aligned with and below the horizontal rod member. 5

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which each sample holder is supported on said ring through a said bifurcate connecting element and in which each sample holder bears and retains a retainer sleeve which can be slid onto or off said bifurcate legs but is normally retainedon the stern of said holding means. 

1. Apparatus for display of fabric samples and the like which comprises, in combination: a. a supporting base comprising an upwardly extending frame element which supports a plurality of laterally extending cantilever members, b. an elongated horizontal rod member secured to and supported by said cantilever members, c. a plurality of flexible and resilient bifurcate connecting elements each having a loop portion surrounding said rod and having a pair of internally hollow legs adapted to receive between them and to hold when closed together a rod-like stem member against longitudinal displacement, d. a retainer sleeve element adapted to be moved into or out of locking position with respect to said legs so as selectively to hold said legs together or permit them to spring apart, and e. a sample holding means for attachment to each said bifurcate element, each said sample holding means including a pair of mutually facing gripping members for securely holding the fabric sample in pleated condition, one of said pair having an upwardly extending support stem or rod, said stem or rod being formed to fit between and be securely held against axial displacement with respect to said bifurcate legs when said legs are held together as aforesaid.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frame element is a vertical wall and the cantilever members are brackets secured to said wall.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each sample holding means comprises a stop element and wherein an accurately aligned stop surface is provided for abutment of said stop element, whereby the samples normally hang by gravity with the stops elements in abutment and in good, neat alignment.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes an additional bifurcate connecting element frictionally gripping the horizontal rod and a display element mounted on said bifurcate element.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a sign element having a vertical stem projecting from the display apparatus and held in upright position by means of a resilient hinged bifurcate connector engaging both said stem and said horizontal rod, and means for detachably fastening the legs of said bifurcate connector securely to said stem.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 which includes a horizontal support rod embraced by a loop of said hinged connector and friction means interposed between said rod and said loop to maintain the sign element in upright position.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the horizontal rod is a ring member supported by the cantilever members as the circumference of a horizontal rotatable wheel.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 which involves as a stop member a parallel rod member aligned with and below the horizontal rod member.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which each sample holder is supported on said ring through a said bifurcate connecting element and in which each sample holder bears and retains a retainer sleeve which can be slid onto or off said bifurcate legs but is normally retained on the stem of said holding means. 